Saddam loyalists in Basra want to surrender - paper

Reuters | 4/05/03

[kattracks]

Saddam loyalists in Basra want to surrender - paper

BAGHDAD, April 5 (Reuters) - Leaders of President Saddam Hussein's ruling Baath Party in Iraq's second city Basra want to surrender to British military forces besieging the city, a pan-Arab newspaper said on Saturday.

Asharq al-Aswat said that Baath Party leaders in the city had passed a message to a Shi'ite cleric, Mohammed al-Bosslimi, saying they were afraid of reprisals from the citizens of Basra and wanted to arrange a surrender if Baghdad fell.

"They are afraid but they say that as soon as Baghdad falls they will surrender," the newspaper quoted the cleric as saying. It said he had met 12 of the high-ranking leaders of the Baath two days ago.

He said the Baath Party leaders could also surrender if U.S.-led forces entered the city.

"The problem is that the hated party members want to be protected from the anger of the public if they give up their weapons," al-Bosslimi said.

British forces have been besieging the city of 1.5 million almost since the Iraqi war began on March 20.

They had hoped the city's Shi'ite Muslim majority might rise up against forces loyal to Saddam, a Sunni Muslim, as they did in 1991 after the Gulf War.

But that rebellion was crushed after hoped-for U.S. support never came and analysts say locals are too unsure of the future to risk another uprising.

Instead, British forces have adopted a tactic of brief incursions into the city to try to target Saddam loyalists and gunmen.

04/05/03 00:31 ET

[Mygirlsmom]

"You have reached the Surrender Hotline. No one is available to take your call. Please call back after the 'pause' is over."

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Good news!

OFFICIAL BUMP(TOPIC)LIST

[jimkress]

"The problem is that the hated party members want to be protected from the anger of the public if they give up their weapons," al-Bosslimi said.

Tough! Remember Mussolini.

They should have thought of the consequences before they tortured, raped, and murdered all those who thought differently than they.

Paybacks are hell. Give them a 100 meter head start.

[ALS]

[DoughtyOne]

Heh heh heh... nice!

[JamminJAY]

saddams party in Baghdad is being raided as I write this.

Ba'ath Give up now, you will live. Resist and sadly more Iraqi blood will flow. Your tyrant as others will be history soon.

Jammer

[seeker41]

I say "Kill Them" or it it will come back to haunt us.

[seeker41]

Pretty po'ed that 8 of our MIA's were murdered.

[FreeReign]

"The problem is that the hated party members want to be protected from the anger of the public if they give up their weapons," al-Bosslimi said.

It sounds like the "Arab Street" in Basra -- doesn't like the Sadaam Baathists!

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The end.

Das ende.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Let them surrender. Take them into custody. Then hold military tribunals or war crimes trials with locals able to testify against them. These Bath officials are afraid for one reason. They are either criminals, war criminals or both.

These fools are so accustomed to corruption that they have no concept of what is in store for them.

[geopyg]

"Let them surrender. Take them into custody. Then hold military tribunals or war crimes trials with locals able to testify against them."

I think a CIVIL trial in Basra with a jury of their peers would do nicely - and make sure Al Jezerra has a live feed.

[cyberian_cartoon]

[MarinePapa]

From your lips to God's ear!

[The Brush]

....wanted to arrange a surrender if Baghdad fell...

Yea and I want to cancel my bet ... but only if I lose
We should tell them they have until 12:00 midnight yesterday to surrender.

[lawdog]

Apply rule 308 !

[M. Peach]

"I SEE DEAD PEOPLE...."

My vote for quote of the day!

[SuziQ]

Baath Party leaders in the city had passed a message to a Shi'ite cleric, Mohammed al-Bosslimi, saying they were afraid of reprisals from the citizens of Basra and wanted to arrange a surrender if Baghdad fell.

Sucks to be them right now, doesn't it? They were tough cookies as long as Sadaam was their 'protector'. They could brutalize and murder at will. They've never shown compassion, but they want compassion shown to them.

[Travis McGee]

Throw them out on the street for the people to take their revenge, Mussolini style.

[libertylover]

Let them surrender. Take them into custody. Then hold military tribunals...

Yes, this is the way to go.